What sport(s) did you play at Lipscomb? What years? Who were your coaches?

Women’s Basketball 78-79 and 79-80 for Trish Duty and Charles Beavers
What is your fondest athletic memory at Lipscomb?

Great friends. The baseball National Championship in 78-79. I loved Coach Dugan as the Athletic Director too!!!!
Did I mention Chuck Ross with his little shaker at the end of the gym yelling “Press Diane Press” at the basketball games.

Who had the biggest influence on you during your athletic career at Lipscomb? How?

Trish Duty was my coach. What a great lady she was. She taught us all so much about life and basketball. She only agreed to coach the team because there was not a team without her. She was such a great role model and influence to so many people. She gave us an opportunity no one else would.

My teammates were Connie Bentley, April St. John, Rhonda Stewart, Ronda Hamilton, Leslie Tumblin, Nancy Flatt, Karen Wallace, Rhonda Bingham, Amy Kinzer, Lawana Edwards and so many more. We are all still dear friend. They were dedicated individuals who practiced at 6 a.m. because that was the only time we could get in McQuiddy Gym or at that orphanage which usually had no heat. Ahhhhh, “those were the good ole days”. Back then we shared the gym with the men’s team and both the boys and girls high school teams so they all got to practice before we did.

There were others. Coach Ken Dugan, the athletic director, allowed us to have the women’s basketball team. There were so many professors like Ms. Rucker in Elementary Education, Dr. Marlin Connelly in Bible, Batsell Barrett Baxter in Bible and men’s basketball coach Don Meyer who was so committed to excellence. His motivational materials were great and he taught the game fundamentals so well.
What is your fondest non-athletic memory from your time at Lipscomb?

My roommate, Linda Wilkerson. She was a childhood friend and she moved to New Zealand with her family to be missionaries when we were in junior high. We always said we would meet back up at Lipscomb and be roommates but I went to Vol State right out of high school because Lipscomb did not have a girl’s team yet. But they did begin one in 1978. We did meet then at Lipscomb and I have great memories of her and the girls in Johnson Hall. I also enjoyed the ladies of Delta Delta, my social group!!! They helped me meet some other great friends.

Singarama was fun. I needed those special messages every day in chapel. And the time right after chapel to visit with your friends was fun.

What is the most valuable thing you gained or learned from your time at Lipscomb?

The Christian education and Christian friends that helped me grow closer to God and learn how to handle life!!!! I learned that life is not perfect, and neither are people, but you can always count on God to provide you a way to handle anything life may bring your way.
Who was your favorite professor? Why?

Batsell Barrett Baxter. I had watched him on TV on the Herald of Truth as a little girl and he had the most calming and compassionate voice and he was so encouraging. I could listen to him all day. Coach Trish Duty for teaching me the game of “Life”. She was wonderful.
Where do you live now?

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Who is your employer? What is your occupation? What does your position entail?

I work at Middle Tennessee State University in the Athletic Department as an Associate Athletic Director. I have been at the University for 28 years and I coached Women’s Basketball and Volleyball for about 12 years before I moved to athletic administration. I oversee our women’s athletic programs and handle all personnel issues for the athletic department. I love working with the athletes, helping the coaches get what they need for their programs and seeing our athletes succeed in life and feeling like we had some small part in that success that they accomplish. The student athletes teach me something new almost every day!!!

Tell us about your family:

I coached for many years and did not marry until later. I met my husband Kyle when when he coached at MTSU. We have one son, Steven Charles, who is 10 years old who is the apple of my eye. He loves sports. I can’t imagine why. He has really enjoyed growing up on a college campus looking up to so many great student athletes. They are his heroes and his role models.